"oh my" cookies

you will never guess where I got this recipe....
oh wait, maybe you can guess...
where have I been getting EVERYTHING... lately!

PINTEREST again... yes, I know.
but once again... the search for things sweet, tasty and amazing... all get generated through this site.

This sweet treat was from Food Blog STICKY:GOOEY:CREAMY:CHEWY and her recipe for HolyCrapAmazingCookies was one that I just couldn't pass up.  This past weekend I was in the role of Single Parent ... and we planned to hang out with some friends Saturday night.  I wanted to bring along something that everyone would likely enjoy.  This is where this recipe came in.  By the way.... the given name says it all!!!

They were super yummers!
Both boys loved them.  I made them with Gluten Free Cornflakes (which were SUPER HARD TO FIND!!!!) and mini marshmallows for an added goodness.  With my youngest on board with these balls of "goodness me" tastiness... I knew they could be brought along to share with others.
Lets just say... They were a hit!

seriously- make them! You cannot go wrong.

yield 1 1/2 dozen

1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup of  creamy peanut butter
3 cups corn flakes ( we have GF ones)
1/2 cup mini marshmallows
3 oz. dark chocolate (melted)

• pour into medium size bowl flakes and mini marshmallows and set aside.
• on low heat mix together the sugar and corn syrup and bring to a full boil.
• remove from heat- and add-in peanut butter.
• once sugar and peanut butter and melted and blended~ pour over dry mix of flakes and marshmallows.  Be sure to mix well and coat all the flakes.
• with a spoon or cookie scoop ~ roll into 1-2 inch balls and set on parchment paper.
• drizzle with melted chocolate.

let cool... or at least rest for a few minutes (if you can!).  and ENJOY!

trust me, you will be camped out at the table for a while as you lick your fingers with a smile!

sweet seeds

I have never really made a good roasted pumpkin seed.... but I try every year.
I always think... maybe with more salt... they would be better.
Well, This year's RACHEL RAY MAGAZINE... told me how to really do it, and do it well!

The key:: boil the seeds in salt water before roasting.
(this is the step I never thought about)
but this year,
I did it... and these babies are now resting in a bowl in the kitchen.... disappearing quickly!

Rachel Ray's recipe ( page 129 in October 2012)
preheat oven to 375 degrees.

1 cup of raw seeds (cleaned)
1 Tbs. sea salt
4 cups of water

:: bring these three ingredients to a boil in a sauce pan, and then simmer for 10 minutes, then drain.  Pat the seeds dry.
Toss the seeds with olive oil and 1 tsp. salt. spread in a single layer on a foil-lined, greased baking sheet.

Roast for 10 minutes.
Toss with seasoning and roast for another 5 minutes.
(now she has 5 ways to season up these babies) but I went with the sweet version.

SWEET SEASONING
2 1/2 Tbs. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg.

because there are peaches left over

Nothing says FALL like the fragrance of a crisp!
and with all the canned peaches~ I had some fresh ones left over (actually- I set them aside for this one purpose... sneaky, I know.)

Fruit Crisp.
The Better Homes and Garden recipe.... because when its this old school... you go to the "basics" book.

If you dont have this book on your cookbook shelf... its is a must have.  It covers everything from appetizers, quick breads, meats, canning, and even mixed drinks!  I was lucky enough to have one gifted to me from my mother in law as a wedding gift (ump~teen years ago).... and it is used.... a lot!
granted I have to make some GFCF adaptions... but still just as delish!

FRUIT CRISP ( I use this recipe so often that the book opens right to the page.... no need for a bookmark)
5 cups of Fruit (sliced and peeled)
2-4 tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup oats (we use BOB's RED MILL GF oats)
1/2 cup Brown sugar
1/4 cup flour (I use my own GF flour, but any GF flour will work)
1/4  tsp. ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger (or a dash of all three... hint hint!)
1/4 cup butter ( we use coconut oil)
1/2 cup chopped nuts ( we use almonds!)

for Fruit... place in the bottom of a round dish (8 inch) and sprinkle sugar over top ( see hint below).
for topping... in a mixing bowl combine other ingredients until it resembles a coarse crumble.
Sprinkle over the top.
Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

** hint: if it is a "wet" fruit like peaches, berries or cherries.... add 1 tbsp. corn starch to thicken.**

sit back.  and enjoy the smells that will fill your kitchen....
oh my!

it's a Chili kinda day.

I cant believe I have never posted my Turkey Chili recipe.....
it is a staple here at the homestead.
With the windy, chill in the air... and the scattered snow showers (that never stick!)..... today is the day for a crock pot full of chili.

~1 1/2 of dry beans (I mix them up~ kidney, pinto, black) and soak over night.
in the early morning I fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Pour the drained beans in, add a bit of garlic, onion and salt... and boil for 15 minutes.  Lower heat to a simmer- and slow cook until beans are soft (about 2 hours)
~ cook up a 1/2 pound of ground turkey, onion, green pepper and garlic in a skillet (set aside)
~ once beans are done:: add meat mixture, and beans to a crock pot.  Pour in some chopped tomatoes (fresh or POMI ) You can then add in whatever veggies makes your chili pot sing.  Today we saute'd  some chopped sweet potato, green chili, corn and zucchini.  For a little seasoning I add 1 Tbs. chili powder, 1/2 tsp red chili peppers, 1/2 Tbs. garlic powder,1/2 Tbs. cumin, a pinch of pepper and allspice.  set the crock pot on low (for 6 hours) High (for 4 hours) and serve up at dinner time.

MMMM...MMMMM.... GOOD!

oh yea... by the way.... stay tuned because I have a giveaway coming!

a boy and his cookie

there is something consistent in this house.
it is called "peanut butter chip cookies"
with a little who is GF/CF/no egg~ and knowing he is possibly related to the cookie monster.... we had to find a way to make a cookie recipe work for this household....

in all honesty ~ the best thing about this recipe- is that my husband makes them, with the little's help.  I just watch the magic happen.

I noticed today that I haven't posted a recipe in a very very long time.
so, here it is.
(granted you can make this with regular egg, flour and milk~ I am sure it will be just as tasty/ if not better)

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

preheat oven to 350.

start egg (equal to one egg) substitute (mix 1 Tbs. ground flax with 3 Tbs. warm water- mix well and let sit for 5 minutes)

Combine in a bowl

1 1/3 c. GF flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda

set aside.

in mixer blend 1/2 cup dairy free margarine (we use earth best vegan sticks)

1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar:: until light and fluffy.

add in your "egg", 1/4 cup rice milk, 1 tsp vanilla~ and blend.

then add in you flour mixture~ blend well.

and finally~ stir in 1 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup peanuts

drop dough with spoon 2 inches apart and lightly flatten.

bake for 10-14 minutes.

let cool for 2 minutes on cookie sheet, then cool completely on wire rack.

"the hardest part~ waiting for them to cool"

a banana sweet

I am always searching for good GFCF, vegan breakfast ideas....

last week it was Harvest Muffins....

this week...

BANANA DONUTS

This recipe was found in the Cooking For Isaiah Cookbook by Silvana Nardone. This cookbook has been the lifesaving book for our family since this whole ordeal started..... her recipes are good, quick, and easy to follow. Love her!

Banana Donuts

preheat oven to 350

::in one bowl, blend::

1 1/4 cup GF flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

::in second bowl, blend::

2 eggs (room temp)~ you know us... we used flax for the eggless child in our house!

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cup mashed banana (about 3 bananas)

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup veg. oil

add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined.

fill into a donut baking form about 2/3rds full.

bake for 12-15 minutes. cool in pan on a wire rack.

dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!

::side note~ this can be made into muffins. just bake at 350 until toothpick inserted comes out dry, about 20 minutes::

Harvesty

HARVESTY

what do you think when you hear that word (yes, I know... it is a made up word... but play along with me)?

I think~ brisk chill, cozy blankets, fallen leaves

what do you smell?

I smell~ cider, cinnamon, ginger, fireplaces, and pumpkin puree.

what does your heart feel?

I feel~ comfort, calm, home, at rest.

This morning.... was harvesty!

I baked some pumpkins for puree... Made some harvest muffins... Set up a fire and wrapped myself and my boys in a blanket.

breath in.... and exhale slowly.

we are home.

Harvest Muffins (vegan/GF adapted)

in mixer bowl combine:

2 cups of flour (in our case 1 1/2 cup GF flour and 1/2 cup almond four)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cloves

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp zanthan gum (only if using GF flour)

once blended~ add in rest of ingredients until blended.

1/2 cup apple sauce (in our case... today was homemade pear sauce)

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup apple cider

2 eggs (in our case... egg replacer ~ ground flax)

dollop into muffin tins about 2/3rds full. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. Makes 16 muffins. when ready to serve just dust with some powdered sugar and enjoy!

:: exciting side note::

this recipe rocks because it only dirties one bowl, one measuring cup (if you use 1/2 cup), and one measuring spoon (use 1/2 tsp)~ making clean up swift and easy!

this is corny- I know

okay.... so we have been GF/CF for a season.... Egg-less for just over a month or so.....

there have been some things that have been difficult to adjust to....

but somethings- I have embraced, and have found alternatives.

It was a huge transition for us.

Especially when they found out Bjorn had an intolerance to eggs the second week the girls decided to "pay rent" around here. but, we have endured.... seen the humor of it all.... and laughed!

many things we have learned to do without....

Rolls with dinner have been the main one,

but the hardest for us was what Bjorn could eat at a restaurant if we were out (which, isnt very often.... but it does happen)

Bjorn.... his love is in a corn dog. He is not a french fry kid, nor is he a cheeseburger dude..... He goes for the corn dog when given a chance.

He has gone almost 8 months without one~that is until this weekend.

I was reading one of my favorite blogs~ The Pioneer Woman~ and she posted this recipe for homemade corn dogs. Sadly, I never even thought to try to make them..... the idea of filling a pot with oil and then sticking something into it- kinda grossed me out a bit. I am from California~ we dont fry things at home. That is a job for the professionals.

of course I adjusted the recipe... to meet our dietary needs (that is weird using the word diet, when talking about a corn dog).

I make a homemade GF pancake mix that I substituted (with brown rice flour and almond flour- for a higher protein), I used ground flax in place of egg, and no nitrate hot dogs~ ( because that is how we roll!)... I was hesitant with the outcome....

but it got rave reviews.

yes- they even look homemade!

Both boys loved them! LOVED!!!! which earned me the "Mommy Hugs Award" for the weekend.... and boy, did I feel special.

so, go ahead..... fill up a pot with oil..... and make some magic!

this is his "don't bother me~ I'm eating" face.

Please dont feed me...

If you know about the GFCF diet.. you know that gluten is the hardest protein to have flush through the system. We spent 5 weeks working hard to have all the grain proteins removed from the house and flushed from B's body. They (professionals?) say it could take up to 6-12 months to see the full affects of this allergy removed from the body.

so, 5 weeks in.... and we have started to sail smoothly.

or so.... I thought.

the second day of B's sports camp.....

he has TWO handfuls of goldfish (dairy and wheat all in one sweet fish!) before they remember he couldn't have any....

that when I got the phone call.

"ummmm..... Mrs. H.... we accidentally fed your son some goldfish.... we need to know what sort of reactions we need to look out for..."

let me see.....

considering wheat is like an addictive opiate similar to heroin to him.... I'd say.... watch for ALL HELL TO BREAK LOOSE!

but what I really said was "have him drink a lot of water and keep him interacting with you so he doesn't start squealing or stemming (which in his case, lately, has been rubbing his chin across his shirt collar)..."

oh yea, by the way~ if he starts to freak out behaviorally please know I will be asking for a refund for this week's camp.

let's just say the rest of the week he went to camp with a sticker on his shirt saying

"please don't feed me~ I have many allergies"

I also have bought three cute shirts and a button from CafePress that give the adults in charge a heads up.... now just waiting for them to be delivered.

what have I done.

my time is consumed. other than keeping to the schedule, I have spent all my time figuring out the whole GFCF thing.... being 5 weeks in~ we have had "oh so much fun" doing this (please sense the sarcasm!)

research. reading labels. purchasing. returning. purchasing again. trying to figure out how to make this fit in our lives.....

as a girl who likes things wholesome and real~ going to the store to buy many flour mixes (because the all taste like CRAP!!!!!) or buying a box of this, or a pre-package of that.... because I have no clue what to feed the boy....

and we ALL know how I feel about prepackage things.....

is taking up all my energy and pocket change!

so, life has had a few adjustments. some against my idea of food.... but, I am learning each week.

one book that has saved my life... in this whole new world is COOKING FOR ISAIAH

you open the first page and she has a make your own flour mix, and pancake mix. That my friends changes the playing field. Saves money from all the packaged stuff, and now gives you options!

her recipes are great! very wise.... very good.... and both of my boys have loved them. Making her meals is also giving me ideas on how to expand beyond and go it "on my own"

I am now thinking this is doable.

This can work.

This fits into my philosophy of cooking for my family.

now that I have this going well....

lets get back to knitting, crafting, quilting, reading and parenting.

(wipes sweat from brow, and sips some wine).